Is This The Boost You Need?

Do not be afraid of trying the Pilates Cadillac – which we know does initially resemble playground apparatus – found in Flex’s private training studios.

Of all Joseph Pilates creations, this large and detailed piece of equipment suits everyone from complete beginners to seasoned practitioners. And it could be just the thing to get you going again if your practice has been waning.

Furthermore, Pilates instructors love teaching on it.

But first, what is the Cadillac?

The Cadillac – at around six foot high – consists of an elevated bed and features arm springs, a roll back bar to challenge length and spinal articulation and a push-thru bar to challenge shoulder stability and assist stretching. There are also loops called fuzzies, which are protected by sheep skin so your feet are comfortable when hooked through them.

Like the history of many of his equipment creations, this one also originated from Joseph Pilates’ time serving as an orderly in a hospital on the Isle of Man during the latter part of World War One. To help patients unable to walk, he attached springs to the hospital beds.

Over time, and when living in the US, Pilates created his famous equipment based on this hospital bed experience, and the Cadillac was said to be his first (to see archival footage of the man in action

Do not be afraid of trying the Pilates Cadillac – which we know does initially resemble playground apparatus – found in Flex’s private training studios.

Of all Joseph Pilates creations, this large and detailed piece of equipment suits everyone from complete beginners to seasoned practitioners. And it could be just the thing to get you going again if your practice has been waning.

Furthermore, Pilates instructors love teaching on it.

But first, what is the Cadillac?

The Cadillac – at around six foot high – consists of an elevated bed and features arm springs, a roll back bar to challenge length and spinal articulation and a push-thru bar to challenge shoulder stability and assist stretching. There are also loops called fuzzies, which are protected by sheep skin so your feet are comfortable when hooked through them.

Like the history of many of his equipment creations, this one also originated from Joseph Pilates’ time serving as an orderly in a hospital on the Isle of Man during the latter part of World War One. To help patients unable to walk, he attached springs to the hospital beds.

Over time, and when living in the US, Pilates created his famous equipment based on this hospital bed experience, and the Cadillac was said to be his first (to see archival footage of the man in action

Rumour has it that he originally called this the trapeze table, but when clients saw it for the first time, they compared it to a new shiny Cadillac car – and the name stuck.

At Flex, the Cadillac is primarily used in private sessions and is a fantastic point of reference for both practitioner and teacher when it comes to understanding what the body needs.

As Pilates instructor Juliana Lopez says: “On the Reformer (https://flexhk.com/what-is-the-pilates-reformer/) you diagnose what the person needs. On the Cadillac, you can address these issues with different exercises. For example, you can work on the right and left sides independently. Or, if I know someone has tight shoulders and needs help with that, that can be a real focus.”

The Cadillac’s myriad of exercise options also ensures there is an exercise for any body or level.

“It’s forgiving,” says Kgosi Moncho, a seasoned Flex instructor. “There are lots of different things you can do on it. With a Reformer, you are required to have a certain level of strength. But with a Cadillac, you can break things down, as the surface doesn’t move. The movements are slower. It’s almost rehabilitative.” However, it can also provide a killer workout, depending on how far you take the huge versatility of the exercises. This makes it good for beginners as well as those wanting to progress their practice.

Kgosi adds that it gives him real insight into what a person’s body can do and what it needs.

“If I don’t know someone I am teaching in a private and there is no space on the floor, I will use the Cadillac.”

But don’t just take our word for it. One Flex fan, Dervla Louli, the founder of compareretreats.com and a fan of Pilates, says she would definitely repeat her recent experience on the Cadillac.

“I loved the extra tension the machine provided,” says Dervla. “There are so many ways to stretch, hang and move with the machine, I loved it.

Afterwards, Dervla said she felt “well stretched and elongated”.

“It’s a great way to balance my cardio and weight training because there’s zero impact and it’s all about creating space in the body.”

Now is the time to get going! Flex’s 30-Day Pilates Challenge is here! Starting November 1, choose either 10 Classes (7 Allegro, 2 Trios and 1 Private) for $2800, or 15 Classes (12 Allegro, 2 Trios and 1 Private) $4000. https://flexhk.com/promotions/